“Our pleas were heard.” Mel Greig on the “huge” milestone for endometriosis sufferers.

Mel Greig is just one of the thousands of women living with endometriosis who are celebrating after a national action plan to address the illness was announced yesterday.

“Today our pleas were heard. Today is a huge step forward in ending the silence on the chronic condition that affects one in 10 women and it doesn’t discriminate,” the media personality said on Thursday.

Health Minister Greg Hunt announced in December that the Federal Government would create the country’s first national action plan for endometriosis to improve the understanding and awareness of a disease – as well as the treatment for it.

On Thursday, alongside representatives of Endometriosis Australia, Hunt launched the National Action Plan for Endometriosis, which outlines how a new approach the government will take to improving awareness and understanding of endometriosis, speeding up diagnosis, and developing better diagnostic and treatment options.

Hunt pledged an extra $1.2 million towards implementing the actions recommended by the plan, taking the government’s total investment to $4.7 million.

It’s a small, long-overdue start, but it was met with appreciation from edometriosis sufferers, of which include Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm, Yellow Wiggle Emma Watkins, and Mel Greig.

“It’s hard to believe that a condition that affects so many women has never been given any funding towards research and awareness, but that changed today,” Greig said.

“We are now in a stronger position than ever before to hopefully find a cure for the next generation.

“Today is a great day for endo sisters. We were heard. Action is on the way.”

Edometriosis is a painful condition where tissues that usually form only in the lining of the uterus, form around other areas, such as the ovaries or the fallopian tubes.

Due to a low level of understanding of the disease – even within the medical community – sufferers can often go several years without being diagnosed, and then treatment is often insufficient.

Hunt announced that a steering group that includes long-time endo advocate Sylvia Freedman would oversee the implementation of the action plan over the next five years.

“I am also pleased to announce that Jean Hailes for Women’s Health will receive $200,000 to roll out an online national awareness campaign during Women’s Health Week in September, to encourage women to visit their GP if they are experiencing symptoms of endometriosis,” he said on Thursday.